Frequently Asked Questions – Animal Medical of New City (AMNC)

At Animal Medical of New City, we understand that pet owners have lots of questions about their furry family members. This FAQ page covers preventive care, diagnostics, surgery, emergency care, and more to help you make informed decisions for your pet’s health.

General Questions

1. What are your clinic hours and emergency contact information?
We are open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and Saturdays from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM. For emergencies outside business hours, please call Veterinary Emergency Group in Nanuet at (845) 536-5645

2. Do I need an appointment, or do you accept walk-ins?
Appointments are recommended to ensure timely care, but we do accept limited walk-ins for urgent issues.

3. What types of pets do you treat?
We care for dogs, cats, and select small mammals. Contact us if you have questions about your specific pet.

4. How do I schedule an appointment?
Appointments can be scheduled by phone, text, or through our online booking system found here.

5. Do you offer telemedicine or virtual consultations?
Yes. For non-emergency concerns, we offer virtual consultations to discuss your pet’s health and follow-up care.

6. How often should I bring my pet to the vet?
At least once a year for annual well-care appointments, vaccines, and bloodwork. For senior pets or pets with chronic health concerns, every 3 to 6 months is the general recommendation.

Preventive Care

1. When should I schedule my pet’s wellness exam?
Annual wellness exams are recommended for most pets. Puppies, kittens, and senior pets may need more frequent visits.

2. What vaccinations does my pet need and how often?
Vaccinations depend on your pet’s age, lifestyle, and medical history. Our veterinarians will create a customized vaccination schedule.

3. Do you offer parasite prevention?
Yes, we provide flea, tick, and heartworm prevention products tailored to your pet.

4. How often should I bring my pet in for dental cleanings?
Most pets benefit from a professional dental cleaning once a year, but your veterinarian may recommend more frequent care based on your pet’s oral health.

5. How can I maintain my pet’s weight and nutrition?
We provide nutritional counseling and weight management plans to ensure your pet stays healthy and active.

6.  Should I brush my pet’s teeth?
We recommend brushing your pet’s teeth daily. This helps to slow down the progression of periodontal disease, the most common dental disease diagnosed in pets.

7. How often should I bathe my pet?
Dogs: Usually no more than once a month, as more frequent baths can strip important oils from their coat. If your dog has chronic skin disease, one of our doctors may recommend more frequent bathing and/or a medicated shampoo.

Cats: Not usually necessary unless they venture outdoors. If this is the case, once a month is usually best.

Surgery & Procedures

1. What types of surgical procedures do you perform?
We offer spays, neuters, soft tissue surgery, orthopedic procedures, and minimally invasive surgeries like laparoscopy and endoscopy.

2. How should I prepare my pet for surgery?
Your veterinarian will provide detailed pre-surgical instructions, including fasting guidelines and any medication adjustments.

3. How long is the recovery time for common surgeries?
Recovery times vary depending on the procedure, but minimally invasive surgeries often allow pets to recover faster than traditional surgery.

4. Do you offer minimally invasive procedures?
Yes. We perform laparoscopic spays, endoscopy, and cystoscopy, which reduce pain and speed recovery.

5. How do I know if my pet needs surgery?
Our veterinarians perform thorough exams and diagnostics to determine the best treatment options for your pet.

Diagnostics

1. What types of diagnostic tests do you offer?
We provide bloodwork, digital radiography (X-rays), ultrasounds, and advanced endoscopic evaluations.

2. How do you perform blood tests, X-rays, or ultrasounds?
All diagnostics are performed onsite by trained veterinary professionals, ensuring fast and accurate results.

3. Can you perform allergy testing?
Yes, we offer allergy testing.

4. How soon will I get results from lab work?
Most lab work is within 1-2 business days, with more specialized tests requiring a few days.

5. Do you provide second opinions?
Absolutely. Our team is experienced in reviewing complex cases and offering second opinions for chronic illness, cancer, or surgical recommendations.

Behavior & Training

1. My pet has behavioral issues. Can you help?
Yes, we provide guidance on behavior management and may refer you to a veterinary behaviorist if needed.

2. Do you recommend trainers or behaviorists?
We work with certified trainers and behaviorists to address complex behavioral concerns.

3. How can I manage separation anxiety in my pet?
Our team can recommend strategies, including training, environmental changes, and in some cases, medical management.

4. Are there medications for behavior problems?
Yes. Certain medications can help manage anxiety, fear, or compulsive behaviors in pets.

5. Why does my dog sometimes eat their own feces?
It may be because your pet feels they are lacking a vitamin in their diet, usually secondary to disease. They also might do it to cover up an accident they had in the house. The easiest way to correct this is to clean up after your dog immediately after they go. Our doctors may recommend diagnostics if this behavior is paired with other symptoms, such as loose stool or weight loss.

Nutrition & Weight Management

1. What food is best for my pet’s age and breed?
We provide customized recommendations based on your pet’s age, breed, lifestyle, and health status.

2. Can you provide a weight-loss or diet plan?
Yes, we create individualized weight management plans to help your pet maintain a healthy weight.

3. Do you recommend prescription diets?
For pets with specific medical conditions, we may recommend prescription diets to support overall health and recovery.

4. Is my pet too fat?
We can determine if your pet needs a diet plan and provide you with a calculator to keep track of your pet’s progress.

5. What human snacks can I give my pet?
Vegetables/ Fruits such as carrots, apples, string beans, ice cubes, and their own kibble are recommended. Avoid items that contain chocolate, grapes, onions, and avocados, as these are toxic to pets.

6. What should I feed my pet daily?
Food that is nutritionally balanced, cooked, and tested for animal safety. If it is AAFCO rated, it has been tested and balanced for pets.

7. Can dogs eat rice and chicken?
Yes, occasionally when they are experiencing digestion issues. The chicken should be boiled with no seasoning added, and the rice should be plain white rice with nothing added. Chicken and rice are not nutritionally balanced for long-term feedings, as it lacks the vitamins and minerals required for their bodies. If your pet is experiencing digestive issues, give our office a call for additional nutritional recommendations and/or to be seen.

8. What human foods are toxic to pets?
Chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, caffeine, avocados, bones, and sugar-free gum are some examples of toxic and/or hazardous foods to pets. For a complete list, please visit the ASPCA website.

9. How often should I feed my pet?
Puppies and kittens should be fed 3-4 smaller meals per day. Adult pets should get 2 meals per day. These will vary based on your pet’s health, weight, and age, to name a few. 

Emergency, Urgent Care, & Illness

1. What constitutes a veterinary emergency?
Emergencies include difficulty breathing, severe bleeding, seizures, ingestion of toxic substances, and sudden collapse.

2. Are you available after hours or on weekends?
While our clinic has regular business hours, we can provide guidance for after-hours emergencies and refer to emergency facilities if necessary.

3. What should I do if my pet ingests something toxic?
Contact our clinic or a veterinary poison control center immediately for instructions.

4. Why does my pet drink/urinate more than usual?
This could be a sign of diabetes, kidney disease, Cushing’s, etc… Making an appointment to see one of our vets is recommended.

Financial & Insurance

1. Do you accept pet insurance?
We accept Trupanion insurance, which often processes payment while you are here. Other insurance providers require you to submit for reimbursement after the services are paid for.

2. What payment options are available?
We accept cash, credit cards, ScratchPay, and CareCredit for eligible procedures.

3. Can I get an estimate before procedures or surgeries?
Absolutely. Our team provides clear cost estimates so you can make informed decisions.

Specialty Services

1. Do you provide dental, orthopedic, or dermatology services?
Yes. Our clinic offers comprehensive dental care, orthopedic treatment, dermatology, and more.

2. Do you offer laser therapy, physical therapy, or acupuncture?
Yes, we offer advanced rehabilitation therapies to support healing, pain management, and mobility.

3. Can you perform spays, neuters, or prophylactic gastropexy?
Yes, we provide both traditional and minimally invasive spays, neuters, and preventive gastropexy for at-risk large breed dogs.

Travel & Boarding

1. What documentation is needed for traveling with my pet?
International or domestic travel may require health certificates, vaccinations, microchips, and sometimes blood tests.

2. Do you provide health certificates for international travel?
Yes. Our team can prepare USDA-compliant travel certificates for pets traveling abroad.

3. Can you advise on boarding or kennel care?
We can provide recommendations and requirements to ensure your pet’s comfort and safety during boarding.

Schedule Your Appointment Today

For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact Animal Medical of New City (AMNC). Our expert veterinary team is here to provide compassionate, advanced care for your pets.